Australia is taking steps to reduce its carbon emissions and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles by introducing fuel efficiency standards. This move comes as part of the government's first national electric vehicle strategy, which aims to cut at least 3 million tons of carbon dioxide by 2030, and more than 10 million tons by 2035.
Australia is one of the last developed economies without fuel efficiency standards, which govern the amount of pollution a car is allowed to emit. The center-left Labor government, which came to power in May, has been working to tackle climate change by introducing the country's first emission reduction targets and passing legislation to cap major polluters.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King stated that the government will consult with industry and the community to finalize the details of the new standards in the coming months, with plans to put them in place by the end of 2023. She also noted that more than 85% of all cars sold globally are already subject to fuel efficiency standards, and that "it's time Australians were offered the same choice."
Passenger cars currently produce about 10% of Australia's emissions, and implementing fuel standards could significantly reduce this figure. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the new standards could also lead to increased adoption of electric vehicles, as car manufacturers will need to produce more efficient vehicles in order to meet the standards.
Overall, Australia's move to introduce fuel efficiency standards is a positive step towards reducing the country's carbon footprint and encouraging the use of cleaner transportation options.